I have met plenty of Christians who feel like shoving their beliefs down the throats of others. However, most of these people sincerely believe that they are saving others by doing so, so I don't completely fault them. I find more fault with Christianity itself for espousing that kind of crap.
Ah, but it isn't a christian tenet to prostelitize(sp?) people, I have met christians of smaller denominations that "witness" or, in other words, it is their specific christian values to convert others to that christian belief, otherwise they would be considered sinners in god's eyes, these smaller sects believe it is their duty to "save" everyone and yes, they are annoying, but my religion, Catholicism, and the mainstream Baptist and Episcopalian faiths are pretty much live and let live, Southern Baptists though(the evangelical ones) look out, they will "save" you whether you want their help or not, by getting laws passed, etc. Those guys are more than fair game if you want 'em.
A religion shouldn't have to rely on door-to-door sales tactics to spread word of their religion. For this, I feel they are completely open to criticism. You don't see Buddhists or Jewish people trying to sell their religion.
Fair enough.
I've found that by telling Christians I'm a Satanist it causes more of a problem and they feel even more of a need to save me. So, I lie and tell them that I'm an agnostic or atheist. The last few times it happened, the women who came to my door seemed offended that I wasn't still willing to let them in to try and sell their religion to me. I've also encountered far more pushy people who put their foot in the door and turn it into a big confrontation.
I haven't had that problem, even though I'm in the south, the Jehovah's witnesses frequent my area, but are generally very polite when they are declined.
Each religion has a fair share of nutcases. There are plenty of people who rabidly seek to enlist others just as there are those who don't feel the need to try and shove their beliefs onto others.
Which is why I think all of us on the sane side need to band together regardless of our beliefs, discuss them in a studious and respectful manner, and tell the extremists to shove it.
Religious icons shouldn't be allowed in public places unless they are willing to give all religions the opportunity to display theirs as well. I'm willing to bet that a lot of Christians would be up in arms if there was a non-Christian display in a public area and no Christian display as well.
Not me, or most of my friends of the christian faith, but I believe these should be privately donated items, not paid for from tax coffers, AND should be respectful in their placement in regards to the other belief symbols.
The sad thing is that all religions have people like this. There are plenty of arrogant atheists who feel the need to demean others for not seeing their way. This news story is absolute proof of that.
Well said.
